Twin Cinema
by The New Pornographers
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Aug 23, 2005
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 149 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 124 out of 149
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 149
  3. Negative: 17 out of 149

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  1. JeffH
    Aug 23, 2005
    10
    Quite simply, there is no better band working right now, and this album is at least the equal of their previous two brilliant releases. If you figure in Carl Newman's solo album and Neko's solo work, there just couldn't be a better pop collective out there. If you like indie pop in any shape or form, you MUST own this record. I just don't have superlatives enough to go Quite simply, there is no better band working right now, and this album is at least the equal of their previous two brilliant releases. If you figure in Carl Newman's solo album and Neko's solo work, there just couldn't be a better pop collective out there. If you like indie pop in any shape or form, you MUST own this record. I just don't have superlatives enough to go on further.… Expand
  2. Adam
    Sep 3, 2005
    8
    Excellent disc.
  3. Jared
    Feb 20, 2006
    10
    Duh!
  4. NicholasB
    Aug 22, 2005
    10
    Mass Romantic was wonderful; Electric Version its equal; but Twin Cinema surpasses them both. It's nigh on the perfect pop record.
  5. AdamK
    Aug 23, 2005
    10
    Just an Incredible Album! This group has done it again--amazingly enough. I don't know how to explain it; when a song like Jessica, Dressed In Cobras comes booming out of the stereo, you want to jump off the rooftops doing somersaults in the sky. This is what great music is about.
  6. CraigE
    Aug 23, 2005
    10
    Note to all artists who aspire to "Best Album of the Year" recognition: don't release your album in the same calendar year as a new New Pornographers release.
  7. Rory
    Aug 24, 2005
    8
    There's about 8 great songs on Twin Cinema. "Use It" is one of the best songs ever. My preliminary formula is to play the first four, skip the two tracks that awkwardly reference women's names and then play the next three. Then skip to "Star Bodies." Other standouts are the two songs that Neko Case sings lead on. "The Fables on My Street" has that totally cool funk piano There's about 8 great songs on Twin Cinema. "Use It" is one of the best songs ever. My preliminary formula is to play the first four, skip the two tracks that awkwardly reference women's names and then play the next three. Then skip to "Star Bodies." Other standouts are the two songs that Neko Case sings lead on. "The Fables on My Street" has that totally cool funk piano breakdown in the coda and "Bones of an Idol" is nice. So 1/2 the songs are ass, that's still not a bad ratio. Can't be too greedy y'know.… Expand
  8. BrianM
    Aug 26, 2005
    7
    Not nearly as good as the last two records or A.C. Newman's solo disc, but it's a grower. Good things can be found if you stick with it, but don't expect brillance.
  9. MarkC
    Aug 28, 2005
    10
    Crazy-good record that makes you literally stop in your tracks at times and admire just how great it is. Songs like "Sing Me Spanish Techno" or "Jackie, Dressed in Cobras" are so tuneful and heads-and-shoulders above what's being played on the radio -- or so-called "indie"-rock stations -- that it boggles the mind. Perfect end-of-the-summer listening.
  10. Ashoholic
    Sep 12, 2005
    9
    Listen to those Drum Beats!!! Catchy, Poppy, Whats not to love. This whole album should keep all the skinny little white-belt, converse wearing hipsters shaking and groovin'. The only problem...is Neko skipping out on the first North American Tour?
  11. TristramC
    Sep 2, 2005
    8
    The most mult-dimensional of the three NP records, I must admit I wasn't sure at first. After the 5 listen test though, it is official that these guys have done it again. As a previous reviewer said, this is definately more mature but not in a 'euphemism for old and spent' kind of way; on this record is the delights fans have come to know along with the feeling an already The most mult-dimensional of the three NP records, I must admit I wasn't sure at first. After the 5 listen test though, it is official that these guys have done it again. As a previous reviewer said, this is definately more mature but not in a 'euphemism for old and spent' kind of way; on this record is the delights fans have come to know along with the feeling an already great band is still getting better.… Expand
  12. JohnM
    Sep 3, 2005
    10
    Jackie's dressed in cobras!!!
  13. AleksC.
    Sep 4, 2005
    8
    While I am rather new to The New Pronographers, I can tell why they are so critically acclaimed, and why the fan base is so huge. They have the power pop sound down, and it would be upsetting if they got passed up on a Grammy. Only problem for me though, is that, no matter how hard I try, I just can't get really into the songs on this album. The lyrics, and sounds are great and all, While I am rather new to The New Pronographers, I can tell why they are so critically acclaimed, and why the fan base is so huge. They have the power pop sound down, and it would be upsetting if they got passed up on a Grammy. Only problem for me though, is that, no matter how hard I try, I just can't get really into the songs on this album. The lyrics, and sounds are great and all, but this borderline pop-rock style hinders my ability to say that I love this band. Great, just not perfect.… Expand
  14. BillyS
    Sep 4, 2005
    9
    Oustanding music from a collaboration worth keeping in tact. Gets better with each subsequent listen...
  15. TimD
    Jun 26, 2006
    8
    That NME mark proves just how awful a publication it has become under conor mcnicholas tutorship. Their constant overlooking of the terriffic american/canadian pop scene (picaresque 5/10? idiots) in favour of horrendously dull british acts is simply derisory. How you can big up the pipettes and the arctic monkeys while their much better behaved siblings monkey swallows thew universe and That NME mark proves just how awful a publication it has become under conor mcnicholas tutorship. Their constant overlooking of the terriffic american/canadian pop scene (picaresque 5/10? idiots) in favour of horrendously dull british acts is simply derisory. How you can big up the pipettes and the arctic monkeys while their much better behaved siblings monkey swallows thew universe and band club toil round in northern clubs is quite, quite bizarre. It really cries out for new editorship. Oh, and twin cinema is a very very strong album; bleeding heart show is so jawdroppingly gorgeous i tend to dribble just thinking about it.… Expand
  16. EricC.
    Aug 6, 2007
    10
    Impossibly fun. I was only a couple of songs in to this album before it became one of my favorites. I'll blast this music from my stereo for a while.
  17. JasperB
    Nov 13, 2005
    9
    Pop at its finest
  18. RobertM
    Nov 20, 2005
    10
    Really can't stop listening to this album. awesome.
  19. PaulH
    Nov 2, 2005
    8
    another solid album, i rank this one ahead of electric version, right behind mass romantic. but none of them are as good as the slow wonder, still, good stuff.
  20. FranciscoP
    Oct 16, 2005
    10
    Completely agree with the Lost at Sea review - TNP are now a band I can't live without. IMO, this is by far their best work yet. I loved the first two cd's but this is the first I can listen to all the way through. Brilliant!
  21. RaulJulia
    Oct 18, 2005
    7
    I have dropped my 13 bucks on Electric Version and Twin Cin and feel somewhat let down. While both are decent records, neither live up to the excessive hype built up around them. Their songs are like veneers and fail to connect on a deeper level. 'Pop' music is capable of so much more. I'll be selling my copies.
  22. W.Haas
    Dec 3, 2005
    10
    Really this is the indie pop album of the year. Not to mention NP accomplished their best yet.
  23. D*To-
    Dec 6, 2005
    10
    One of the top few albums of the year, with probably the song of the year ("The Bleeding Heart Show"). This album is a masterpiece from the very beginning, with the burst into "Twin Cinema." The genius of the interwoven lyrics of Case and Newman is brilliant, not to mention Bejar at his best ("Jackie, Dressed in Cobras").
  24. Matt
    Aug 22, 2005
    10
    If there was any question that they will go down as one of my all-time favorite bands, this puts that question to rest! Another brilliant album without using the same formula.
  25. JohnG
    Aug 23, 2005
    10
    My only criticism is that the vocals are buried too deep in the mix... or I'm going deaf. Otherwise this is wonderful transcendant ear candy.
  26. HelderM
    Aug 23, 2005
    10
    catchy songs, inspirated songwriting and arrangements, driving drums... a pleasure to listen with repeat mode on. the best a powerpop can be.
  27. RobJ
    Aug 24, 2005
    10
    Wonderful quirky melodic pop from this Vancouver group. Stronger than Electric Version. There are a couple of jump out of your seat songs.
  28. Alex
    Aug 24, 2005
    10
    Yet another winner from a great band.
  29. PatrickD
    Aug 24, 2005
    10
    Absolutely perfect and tremendously addictive power pop. I was worried that they wouldn't be able to match Mass Romatic and The Electric Version, but they have surpassed them. I was lucky enough to find a pre-release version of this, and have not stopped listening to it for weeks now. The New Pornographers are "ear candy" - incredibly rich, hooky music it's virtually impossible Absolutely perfect and tremendously addictive power pop. I was worried that they wouldn't be able to match Mass Romatic and The Electric Version, but they have surpassed them. I was lucky enough to find a pre-release version of this, and have not stopped listening to it for weeks now. The New Pornographers are "ear candy" - incredibly rich, hooky music it's virtually impossible to tire of...there's something new to hear every time. That they are not the most popular band on the planet is a crime. Do yourself a favor and buy Twin Cinema (and their other 2 CDs) today.… Expand
  30. GabeH
    Aug 26, 2005
    9
    Filled to the brim with crispy, irrepressibly hooky guitar work, boomingly insistent percussion, and pitch-perfect harmonies, Twin Cinema finds the Pornos making a lateral progression in their music: Dan and A.C.'s songwriting prowess is as acrobatic and engagin as ever, but this is by no means their best album. Which is not to say that this is not as good as their others.
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Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Best Album of 2005
46
#46 Most Discussed Album of 2005
30
#30 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    Twin Cinema is another great pop album from the New Pornographers, a release that's crammed with so many memorable melodies that the bumpier moments fade into the background.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    It's their trademark boisterous hyper-melodies... that will have you involuntarily humming their praises for weeks (months!) to come. [26 Aug 2005, p.59]
  3. Paste Magazine
    80
    Exhilarating and complex enough to keep you warm year-round. [Aug/Sep 2005, p.108]
See all critic reviews »